The week-long tour was conducted against the backdrop that China needs to strengthen mutual trust and further deepen cooperation with the four countries while certain complex and sensitive issues in the region needed to be properly handled, Yang told reporters.

The premier made the visits with confidence and hope for peace, friendship and cooperation, he said.

POLITICAL MUTUAL TRUST PROMOTED

During his visits, Premier Wen repeatedly emphasized the importance of mutual trust in relations and cooperation between nations, and expounded China`s position on its peaceful development, its friendly policies toward neighboring countries, and its notion of building a harmonious world.

Wen also stressed that China would never seek hegemony and that China`s development poses no threat to any other countries, Yang said.

Leaders of the four nations said they attached great importance to China`s role. They believed that China`s development is critical for peace and prosperity of the region and the world at large. They expressed their willingness to keep high-level exchanges with China and to strengthen communication and coordination on major issues.

Wen and South Korean leaders agreed that both China and South Korea are important countries in East Asia and have broad common interests, and that the two countries should continue to push forward the bilateral strategic cooperative partnership.

In Japan, Wen pointed out that China sees Japan as a strategic partner, not a competitor or a rival. He said the two neighbors should view each other as partners so as to have peaceful coexistence, long-lasting friendship and common development.

In Mongolia, Wen stressed that the development of good-neighborly partnership of mutual trust between China and Mongolia serves the fundamental interests of the two peoples and contributes to peace, stability and common development in the region. The Mongolian side reiterated its firm adherence to the one-China policy and strong support to China on the questions of Taiwan and Tibet.

In Myanmar, Wen said China respects the Myanmar government and people for their choice of a development path in line with this country`s conditions, and wishes Myanmar stability, unity and development. He said China would like to join hands with Myanmar to push forward the development of a good-neighborly cooperative relationship.

BOOSTING TRADE, ECONOMIC COOPERATION

Premier Wen exchanged views with leaders of the four countries on the current world economic situation.

He said China and the four countries are important trading and investment partners, and are highly interdependent. They should take a long-term perspective and continue to help one another to further expand economic and trade cooperation.

Premier Wen put forward a series of important thoughts and specific proposals, which won positive reactions from the four countries.

China and the four countries signed some 30 bilateral cooperation documents.

China reached separate agreements with South Korea and Japan to continue coordination in macroeconomic policies, oppose trade protectionism, and push for reforms of the global economic governance structure.

Premier Wen also had contacts with business circles of South Korea and Japan and introduced China`s economic situation and the major tasks it is facing. He listened to business leaders` suggestions for bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

China reached separate agreements with Mongolia and Myanmar to take advantage of the fact that they are geographically connected and economically complementary to further promote economic and trade cooperation.

DEEPENING FRIENDLY FEELINGS

Premier Wen said culture serves as a bridge to link the hearts of different peoples and different countries.

Wen said the China-Japan friendship is rooted among citizens, and the two peoples can communicate with soul and conscience.

He participated in a series of activities in Japan, including an awarding ceremony for China-friendly Japanese citizens, a welcoming banquet by Japan-China friendship organizations, and an interview with Japan`s public broadcaster NHK.

Premier Wen`s words and actions deeply moved the Japanese people, bringing the two peoples closer and thus benefiting the long-term development of China-Japan ties, Yang said.

Wen also attended cultural activities in South Korea, Mongolia and Myanmar, giving particular attention to youths.

REGIONAL PEACE AND STABILITY

Premier Wen exchanged views over the situation on the Korean Peninsula with South Korean and Japanese leaders in a candid and in-depth manner. Wen worked with patience and made great efforts for maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, said the Chinese foreign minister.

During his four-hour meeting with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, Wen said the sinking of South Korea`s "Cheonan" warship was unfortunate and China understands the sorrows of the bereaved families as well as those of the South Korean people in general.

He extended condolences to the families of those killed and to the South Korean people.

As a responsible nation, China takes serious note of the results of an investigation conducted by South Korea and some other countries, as well as the reactions of all parties, said Wen.

China will make a judgment in an objective and fair manner and take its stance on the basis of facts concerning the incident.

China is always committed to maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and has worked persistently for this end. China rejects and condemns any acts that damage peace and stability on the peninsula, Wen said.

He called on all parties concerned to remain calm and exercise restraint, so as to avert an escalation of the situation. Special efforts should be made to avoid conflicts in order to maintain the hard-won peace and stability on the peninsula.

The premier listened carefully to the views of South Korea and Japan, and elaborated the stance of the Chinese government with clarity, which has demonstrated China`s responsible attitude and determination to maintain regional peace and stability, said Yang.

PROMOTING COOPERATION BETWEEN CHINA, JAPAN AND SOUTH KOREA

The world is undergoing profound changes and East Asia is facing new challenges and difficulties, Wen said at the trilateral summit.

The three countries should address one another`s major concerns and properly handle sensitive issues so as to enhance political mutual trust and maintain peace and stability in the region on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, he added.

The premier called for greater input by the three countries to consolidate the economic recovery while continuing to implement appropriate policies.

Meanwhile, they should create conditions for steady recovery and sustainable growth of the region`s economy, Wen said.

The premier also put forward three proposals to strengthen cooperation between the three countries.

First, he called on the three countries to establish a mechanism and framework of cooperation, encourage a joint research on a free trade area, strive to reach a trilateral investment agreement at an early date, and enhance cooperation on standardization and establishment of a secretariat for trilateral cooperation.

Second, the three countries should all push for sustainable development. They should vigorously develop a green economy, circular economy and conduct scientific and technological innovation, Wen said.

Third, greater efforts are needed to promote cultural and people-to-people exchanges among the three countries, and broaden exchanges and cooperation in education, tourism and media.

Premier Wen`s proposals were applauded by the leaders of South Korea and Japan. The leaders of the three countries are determined to push trilateral cooperation to a new high, following the direction of mutual trust, mutual benefit and common development.

The leaders also issued a series of documents at the trilateral summit, including one on the prospects for China-Japan-South Korea cooperation up to 2020.

No matter how the situation would change, mutual trust, friendship and cooperation will remain the foundation for China`s relations with its neighbors, said Yang.

He said Premier Wen`s four-nation tour has far-reaching significance. His visit has contributed to strengthening the political, economic and cultural foundation for China`s relations with these four nations and fully demonstrated China`s responsible attitude and constructive role in maintaining regional peace, stability and development.

The visit would also contribute to promoting the long-term and steady development of China`s bilateral relations of good-neighborliness and cooperation, advance regional cooperation of mutual benefit, boost regional peace and stability and thus benefit all peoples in this part of the world, said Yang.